Sudden hail destroys harvests in Akkar and provokes outcry for help

As Safir daily reported that the sudden torrential rains that hit various towns and villages of Akkar last Monday took by surprise tobacco growers in Borj Al Arab who already harvested and prepared the leaves for desiccation to be later packaged and delivered to the Regie, while large hail particles have destroyed vegetables and fruits seasons in the northern towns of Fneidik and Mishmish. In this respect, Borj Al Arab Mayor, Aref Shkeidem demanded that the Regie management in the north to “speedily and unconditionally collect what is left of the produce” and appealed to the Finance Minister to take into account what befell the farmers. “Losses are enormous, literally estimated in hundreds of millions of Lebanese pounds,” he said. Similarly, Mishmish Mayor, Mahmoud Badra called on the Agriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb and the Director of the Higher Relief Commission Mohamad Kheir to quickly assess damages and compensate affected apple farmers in Jord al Kaitaa. (An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, As Safir, September 1 and 2, 2015)